Return of $300 prompts angry response from former commissioner

Larry Hammerberg wants the Cemetery Commission to know that "if God forbid something should happen to any member of my family during this period of your misunderstanding, my quest will become monetarily fierce."

Hammerberg made the statement in a letter dated June 19, 2007 in reference to the return of $300, which he had put down as a deposit on 12 grave plots in the now defunct expansion of Mooreland Cemetery. Hammerberg purchased 12 lots in September 2005 based on the belief that Mooreland Cemetery was being expanded. Since then, expansion plans have been halted and the 12 lots no longer exist.

"We returned his money due to the fact that the lots are no longer available," noted Cemetery Commission Chairman Lois Breault-Melican. "From this point forward, it will be written that we will not accept deposits on lots."

"The trouble is the lots did exist when he purchased them," noted member Melinda Johnson.

According to Hammerberg's letter, "by accepting payment, both the Town of Paxton and myself entered into a legal binding contract."

The commission that was active in September 2005 was comprised of Hammerberg, Richard Sears and Lois Breault-Melican. It was during their tenure that a $50,000 expansion of Mooreland Cemetery was in progress. However, since that time a new commission reversed the decision to expand the cemetery and create new lots in the area Hammerberg was interested in.

Hammerberg purchased the lots when it was believed the expansion was going forward.

"I believe he took advantage of his position and purchased them before anyone else was made aware," commissioner Christopher Stone said.

"I don't believe it was Larry's intention to pull anything over on anyone, but we cannot advertise lots for sale," Johnson said.

Hammerberg resigned October 1, 2005 after purchasing the lots September 15 of the same year. The cease and desist order on the expansion was issued in January 2006. Hammerberg was later reappointed, but lost his seat on the commission at May's election to Christopher Stone.

"In all my time on boards, I've never heard of a committee undoing what the previous committee has done," Johnson said.

"We've been over this, Melinda, it would have been like taking $50,000 and throwing it in the trash," Breault-Melican responded.

"The bottom line is I would hate to see this go to legal counsel and cost us money that we can use to improve the cemeteries," Johnson said.

"I agree," Stone said.

Commission members agreed to draft a letter to the Ethics Commission to determine if the expansion truly existed and if there is a conflict of interest for Hammerberg to have purchased the lots.

According to Breault-Melican some believe the Board of Health must approve all cemetery expansion, which she believes wasn't done. The commission is also writing a letter to the Ethics Committee.

Town Service Coordinator, Nancy Wilby said she wasn't aware of the Board of Health ever being involved in Cemetery Commission business.

Stone said there are plenty of lots available for purchase in the cemetery.

In other business, the commission agreed to place a sign at both entrances of Mooreland Cemetery that reads: "Paxton residents only. Leaf and grass drop, no brush!" The signs will be erected on eight-foot high poles and will have black lettering on a white sign.

Commissioners also spoke with Eagle Scout candidate Sean Dowd of Troop 105 about working in the swampy area between Route 122 and the Center Cemetery. They would like him to map all of the plants in the pond and determine which are good and which are invasive. The commission also asked him to remove the invasive plants and open up some views. Breault-Melican would also like to see an educational component involved.

"I would like to raise awareness and let people know this is what is here and this is how it got here. I would also like to do a cemetery program a month for the sake of education," she said.